Game Designer

StarCruiser Studio; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first

US-based preferred

Flexible schedule

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) or retirement support

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development support

Shape original gameplay systems

Job summary

StarCruiser Studio is seeking a Game Designer to shape player experience across future projects. You will work on mechanics, progression, balancing, encounter structure, player flow, and gameplay direction in close collaboration with engineering and production.

The role is open on a part-time or full-time basis depending on experience, availability, and project fit. You will design systems, document specs, prototype with engineers, test, and iterate to ensure engaging, readable, and motivating

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional game design experience on commercial game projects.
• Strong portfolio or work samples demonstrating systems design, feature iteration, and player-focused problem solving.
• Strong documentation skills with the ability to turn concepts into clear design specifications.
• Comfort working with spreadsheets, balancing models, and tuning workflows.
• Strong understanding of player motivation, retention loops, readability, and pacing.
• Experience collaborating directly with programmers and artists during implementation.
• Ability to receive feedback, iterate quickly, and make practical scope-aware decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Availability for reasonable overlap with U.S. working hours.

Responsibilities

• Design and document gameplay systems, player progression, and core feature specifications
• Define and refine mechanics, difficulty curves, rewards, and pacing structures
• Create and maintain clear design documentation for implementation and iteration
• Work with engineering to prototype, test, and improve gameplay features
• Support encounter, combat, and content design with a strong focus on player experience
• Conduct playtests, evaluate feedback, and translate findings into actionable design updates
• Help maintain alignment between creative goals, gameplay pillars, and production constraints
• Contribute to feature prioritization and iteration planning across development milestones

Skills

Game design experience

Systems design portfolio

Documentation skills

Balancing workflows

Player motivation & pacing

Collaboration with engineers/artists

Feedback-driven iteration

English communication

Tools

Spreadsheets

Job description

We are seeking a Game Designer to help shape the player experience across future projects. You will work on mechanics, progression, balancing, encounter structure, player flow, and gameplay direction in close collaboration with engineering and production. This role is open on a part-time or full-time basis depending on experience, availability, and project fit. The listed compensation range reflects full-time annualized base pay; part-time engagements would be prorated based on expected hours and scope.

Responsibilities

• Design and document gameplay systems, player progression, and core feature specifications
• Define and refine mechanics, difficulty curves, rewards, and pacing structures
• Create and maintain clear design documentation for implementation and iteration
• Work with engineering to prototype, test, and improve gameplay features
• Support encounter, combat, and content design with a strong focus on player experience
• Conduct playtests, evaluate feedback, and translate findings into actionable design updates
• Help maintain alignment between creative goals, gameplay pillars, and production constraints
• Contribute to feature prioritization and iteration planning across development milestones

Requirements

• 3+ years of professional game design experience on commercial game projects
• Strong portfolio or work samples demonstrating systems design, feature iteration, and player-focused problem solving
• Strong documentation skills with the ability to turn concepts into clear design specifications
• Comfort working with spreadsheets, balancing models, and tuning workflows
• Strong understanding of player motivation, retention loops, readability, and pacing
• Experience collaborating directly with programmers and artists during implementation
• Ability to receive feedback, iterate quickly, and make practical scope-aware decisions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Availability for reasonable overlap with U.S. working hours

What We Offer

• Competitive U.S.-market compensation with part-time or full-time flexibility
• Remote-first role with preference for candidates based in the United States
• Flexible working schedule with shared core collaboration hours
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible full‑time U.S. team members
• 401(k) or retirement support for eligible full‑time U.S. team members
• Paid time off and company holidays for eligible full‑time team members
• Professional development support for courses, books, and approved industry events
• Opportunity to shape original gameplay systems and future studio projects
• Collaborative environment with direct input into design direction and execution